WHEN the autumn point-to-point season was first introduced to the programme in 2001, hunts in the northern region showed their support for the initiative by staging eight of the 24 meetings.

Following the cancellation of the Mid-Antrim fixture at Toomebridge, there will be five meetings in the region this autumn, starting today at Loughanmore where the opening Dennison Commericals four-year-old maiden has attracted 25 entries.

Four of these are trained on site by Colin McKeever for race sponsor Wilson Dennison while five are in the care of Colin Bowe.

In 2001, the East Antrims ran a two-day fixture at Loughanmore on Friday and Saturday, October 26th and 27th. On the Friday evening, the four and five-year-old mares’ maiden, won by the Peter Buchanan-ridden Rosnode, was the sixth of seven races, while, on the following afternoon, the four and five-year-old geldings’ maiden, won by Leo Gracey on Moreluck, was the fourth of five.

The leading rider over that weekend, with five wins to his credit, was Liam Lennon who, as handler, has two entries in today’s opener. Liam claimed the open on the Saturday 16 years ago with Joe Blake who, trained by Ian Ferguson for Ronnie Bartlett, finished fourth under Lennon in the Foxhunters Chase at Cheltenham the following March.

Next weekend, the Iveaghs hold their autumn fixture at Maralin where, in 2001, the confined hunt maiden, which got the action under way, was claimed by the Astronef gelding Paddies Boy, one of 23 winners (from 186 rides) that season for rider Gordon Elliott.

The following four and five-year-old geldings’ maiden was divided as was the open where the second division was won by the Saul McHugh-partnered Finoel.